New Irish manager

[colster]

ah go way out of that. some people seem to think that any criticism aimed at Keane is an attempt to "knock our greatest ever player" :rolleyes:.

The thing is that Keane is the only one that has gone out of his way to knock and undermine the process as much as he can and this is the exact reason that the media keep on asking him about it. the rags are guaranteed a big headline along the lines of "Keane slams the FAI selection process" as soon as they ask him the question.
No matter if we agree with Keane (and to a point I do!), I just don't understand why he keeps commenting on it as it has absolutely nothing to do with him!! I agree that he's entitled to his opinion but he should realise that anything he says (as previously pointed out by others) will be spinned to high-heavens by the media. He's been critical of the process on several occasions now, we all know where he stands on it so he should just mind his own business (i.e Sunderland) at this stage...

What he said

[jbyrne]

ah go way out of that. some people seem to think that any criticism aimed at Keane is an attempt to "knock our greatest ever player" :rolleyes:.

The thing is that Keane is the only one that has gone out of his way to knock and undermine the process as much as he can and this is the exact reason that the media keep on asking him about it. the rags are guaranteed a big headline along the lines of "Keane slams the FAI selection process" as soon as they ask him the question.
No matter if we agree with Keane (and to a point I do!), I just don't understand why he keeps commenting on it as it has absolutely nothing to do with him!! I agree that he's entitled to his opinion but he should realise that anything he says (as previously pointed out by others) will be spinned to high-heavens by the media. He's been critical of the process on several occasions now, we all know where he stands on it so he should just mind his own business (i.e Sunderland) at this stage...

eh... a good proportion of the posters on this thread, dunphy and other ex players have all been critical of the process. keane is by no way the only critic of the process. i dont think that answering a question on a football matter that he should, as an ex Ireland captain, be interested in and have an opinion on is "going out of his way to knock and undermine the process"

[Bondvillain]

1. We don't have the money to headhunt the best candidate. the best candidates are making stacks of dough in club management.

If they arent interested then they are not candidates.

I wasn't insinuating the FAI should cold-call Jose or Capello, Offering someone €1m a year when they're used to £5m a year just is idiotic, no matter what alleged prestiege was attached, but surely a network or grapevine existed to give any potential headhunter a chink of light regarding the identity of anyone who was even slightly interested. If not, why did JD feel compelled to half heartedly contact Jewell?

I would have been more impressed with the FAI had they posessed the bollicks to identify their chosen No1 and say "You're the best there is, we know what you can do with a middling team with some potential like ours, and we can offer you x million for a 2 campaign contract." If it was refused, it was refused. But at least we'd have known, and the word would be out there that the Irish were looking aggressively, instead of the footballing world now thinking that we've just set up a tent that any has-been gobshyte who's ever kicked a ball in anger can walk into and have his ego massaged by
A) an FAI employee who's future depends on who he chooses as manager
B) Someone who last had an input in the Game (In England) in the last century and
C) a Former playing great, now a middling tv pundit.


What I was suggesting was that the "Committee" of footballing experts formed to find a new manager should have immediately known who the best man for the job was.

If it takes them 3 months to find out, then they are not 3 "footballing experts" they are "3 blokes reading CV's" . Might as well have asked Fás to do it.

What happens when they've finished their 16 week interviewe process, and to a man, they decide that Roy Hodgson was the best applicant by a country mile? We'll never know, of course, but we all have to live with it. Which should be as difficult for the committee as it will be for us. Lord knows they're only getting a stack of consultancy fees to console them...poor crayturs.

[colster]

If it takes them 3 months to find out, then they are not 3 "footballing experts" they are "3 blokes reading CV's" . Might as well have asked Fás to do it.
.
http://fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2694&Itemid=9

http://fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2709&Itemid=9

It hasn't taken them 3 months. Selection Panel was completed when Houghton came on board on December 5th so in all it's taken them a month and if you take Xmas hols into account less than that.

[geysir]

The impression I got from it is that Keane couldn't care less about the Ireland team and hasn't got an opinion worth any value on the matter. That's his prerogative, he has a team to manage himself and has his own business to attend to.
Houghton and Givens care about the team and however flawed the process are investing
time and attention to it.

[Block G Raptor]

I would have been more impressed with the FAI had they posessed the bollicks to identify their chosen No1 and say "You're the best there is, we know what you can do with a middling team with some potential like ours, and we can offer you x million for a 2 campaign contract." If it was refused, it was refused. B.

That is the Crux of the whole thing IMO. The FAI fear looking stupid if they are publicly knocked back by some of the big name managers, thats the reason we got stan and that is the reason we have the selection committee
and thats the reason we'll get cr@p this time around too

The selection committee was set up to say " If you want the Job come and get it" when they FAI should have been saying to the like of Hodgson "we want you"

[colster]

That is the Crux of the whole thing IMO. The FAI fear looking stupid if they are publicly knocked back by some of the big name managers, thats the reason we got stan and that is the reason we have the selection committee
and thats the reason we'll get cr@p this time around too

The selection committee was set up to say " If you want the Job come and get it" when they FAI should have been saying to the like of Hodgson "we want you"

True but I think Delaney took advice from Giles. Giles has said a number of times that non-football should not be selecting the manager. So we have a selection committee that did talk to Hodgson so they can at least identify a decent candidate.

[youngirish]

Some interesting odds in ladbrokes. Houillier is now firm favourite over Venables at 4/6. Venables himself is 7/4 but the major surprise for me is that fifth favourite is Jean Tigana at 8/1.

Where did they pull that name out of the hat from. I personally wasn't aware he was even in the running?

[Bondvillain]

[url]


If it takes them 3 months to find out, then they are not 3 "footballing experts" they are "3 blokes reading CV's" . Might as well have asked Fás to do it.
.
http://fai.ie/index.php?option=com_c...=2694&Itemid=9

http://fai.ie/index.php?option=com_c...=2709&Itemid=9

It hasn't taken them 3 months. Selection Panel was completed when Houghton came on board on December 5th so in all it's taken them a month and if you take Xmas hols into account less than that.
.


30th November - Over the past month we laid the groundwork for the next stage in the process. We have finalised the terms of reference, the criteria and financial package. The process has now been handed over the panel.”
1) Month / Schmonth. Between the lot of them, They still should have known straight off. They didnt have the balls to go out and hook their chosen candidate for fear of rebuttal. Anyway, A "month" is still too long, even given the generous R&R time over christmas you've allocated them. Im sure Howe could do with a two week break from his otherwise hectic schedule of Tea dances and Bingo and telling stories about the Blitz.
2) This farce hasn't reached it's conclusion yet.

[eirebhoy]

I'd say it was something as simple as someone requesting odds on him in one of the bookies and sticking 50 quid on him. Once one of the bookies have a price on him then the rest will follow. If you e-mail Paddy Power and request a price for any manager they'll stick them up there on the website for you.

[geysir]

Say Betfair was a betting shop, would all the money laid cover the total payout on Houllier should he win ?

[eirebhoy]

Say Betfair was a betting shop, would all the money laid cover the total payout on Houllier should he win ?
It's take a long time to work that out. You'd have to multiply the stake by the odds matched and add them all together which would take hours. If the average odds was more than 2-1 and Houllier got the job then the "bookies" would make a loss. It's absolutely no indication as to what an actual bookies stand to win/lose though.

[colster]

1) Month / Schmonth. Between the lot of them, They still should have known straight off. They didnt have the balls to go out and hook their chosen candidate for fear of rebuttal. Anyway, A "month" is still too long, even given the generous R&R time over christmas you've allocated them. Im sure Howe could do with a two week break from his otherwise hectic schedule of Tea dances and Bingo and telling stories about the Blitz.
2) This farce hasn't reached it's conclusion yet.

A Month, it's about the same time it took England to appoint Capello. McClaren sacked Nov 22, Capello appointed Dec 14.

[Bondvillain]

A Month, it's about the same time it took England to appoint Capello. McClaren sacked Nov 22, Capello appointed Dec 14.

Painting yourself into a corner there Colster....

Staunton Sacked october 24, Irish Interview process "still continuing" as of 18 January 2008.

Difference is, England didnt fiddle about with an interview process. While admittedly having greater resources, they weren't afraid of identifying the right man for their job, and snapping him up. Something we're incapable of, hence the farcial 3 man committee routine.

[colster]

Painting yourself into a corner there Colster....

Staunton Sacked october 24, Irish Interview process "still continuing" as of 18 January 2008.

Difference is, England didnt fiddle about with an interview process. While admittedly having greater resources, they weren't afraid of identifying the right man for their job, and snapping him up. Something we're incapable of, hence the farcial 3 man committee routine.

England were majorly different, Capello pubicly stated that he wanted the job. No one of that calibre has publicly expressed an interest in the job. If he had I'm sure the FAI would have jumped at the chance.

[Bondvillain]

England were majorly different, Capello pubicly stated that he wanted the job. No one of that calibre has publicly expressed an interest in the job. If he had I'm sure the FAI would have jumped at the chance.

I appreciate the differences between ourselves and England's FA. Thats why I pointed out the difference in resources, and the fact that Capello was their man for the job, not necessarily ours.

As an example though, Hodgson did express interest to the FAI, and while not wanting to slight my country, I think he's more our speed than Capello.

And what happened? He was interviewed, presumably to be told "We'll let you know. Thanks for coming" and Fulham came up and said "Want a job? Like, Right now? " and he took it.

Whether he would have been a fly-by-night and jumped ship early for a better offer had we appointed him is now an irrelevant point, as because of the sheer length of this interview process, we'll never know, but we may yet rue not grabbing him with both hands at first time of asking.

My original point was, you cannot expect someone in the field as volatile as football management to be still interested in a vacancy nearly 3 months after it has arisen (For clarification : Im using the actual 'nearly three months' there - 24th Oct to 18th Jan, as opposed to the one that removes days for Christmas, Halloween, Eid and Chanukha ).

I still believe the FAI lacked courage in not headhunting, and that the interview process is a weak alternative. Dragging an interview process out this long frustrates genuine suitable contenders, and if they ARE any good, they'll be snapped up elsewhere, leaving us with a choice between the unemployed and the unemployable.

[lionelhutz]

People are really baring a grudge over the qualification campaign from 15 years ago - is it possible he's learned something since then?

No, its not possible

[bennocelt]

the same france that under different management failed the qualify for 1990 world cup and were knocked out in the first round of Sweden 1992. In the 1994 qualifiers he beat Israel away 4-0, beat Sweden 2-1 at home and defeated all the lower ranking teams in the group. Yeah he managed them terribly...


no point even replying to such a stupid statement.

the same plan which won Liverpool 2 league cups, FA cup, UEFA cup, Charity Shield, Premiership Runners-up and consistent top 5 finishes.

Yes, Houllier is clearly inept to manage a team of Irelands stature !


Didnt do a good job of disproving me really:(
Re France, yeah as i said he didnt do anything with them, and lost two vital home games. Cant argue with that

Have you even heard of Paul Le Guen:rolleyes:
or do you rely on MOTD for your footy info?

You always know when you are struggling when the Charity Shield is brought up as a trophy to be won:rolleyes:
Even Liverpool fans wouldnt care much about him

Why is he out of a job at the moment?

[Philly]

Didnt do a good job of disproving me really:(
Re France, yeah as i said he didnt do anything with them, and lost two vital home games. Cant argue with that

Have you even heard of Paul Le Guen:rolleyes:
or do you rely on MOTD for your footy info?

You always know when you are struggling when the Charity Shield is brought up as a trophy to be won:rolleyes:
Even Liverpool fans wouldnt care much about him

Why is he out of a job at the moment?

He's not out of a job. He works for the French FA. Obviously they don't agree with you on his incompetence.

His first management job was Lens, who he got promoted in their first season and got into Europe in the first year in the top flight. He then got the PSG job, and won a title with them. He became Technical Directer for the French FA and impressed them so much in that role he was offered the managers job, which didn't go as smoothly and they narrowly failed to qualify behind two sides that did very well in the World Cup. He remained Technical Director after resigning as team manager, playing a big part in training the team that won the World Cup in 1998 - being given a World Cup medal to recognise the part he had to play.

Something relevant to Ireland from his early Liverpool days is the way he cleared out the "Spice Boys". A lot of people seem to think that the attitute of some players in the Irish camp isn't up to or focused, Houllier dealt very well with a similar situation in Liverpool and changed the atmosphere of the squad.

Things started to take place as Houllier built up a squad and Liverpool won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup in 2001. They also finished third in the League that season. Houllier then fell ill and when he came back things were stop-and-start, with Liverpool failing to make a real impact in most competitions. As pressure mounted, Houllier claimed that the team and club was "turning a corner" and success would follow in the coming years. However, he was sacked in 2004. His talk of "turning a corner" proved true however, with Liverpool winning the Champions League in 2005 with a squad made up mostly of players he signed - he even celebrated in the dressing room with them.

In 2005, Houllier was handed the Lyon job and guided them to the League title, as well as a cup final they narrowly lost. Houllier then won the league again the next season before resigning due to the outspoken nature of the Lyon chairperson.

Houllier has been awarded the Légion d'Honneur for his services to French football, and an honorary OBE for services to British football, along with fellow manager, compatriot and friend Arsène Wenger.

Paris Saint-Germain

1985-86 French League Championship

[edit] Flag of England Liverpool

2000-01 League Cup
2000-01 FA Cup
2000-01 UEFA Cup
2002-03 League Cup
2001-02 UEFA Super Cup
2001-02 FA Charity/Community Shield

Olympique Lyonnais

2005-06 French League Championship
2006-07 French League Championship

France
1996 European Under-19 Football Championship

So he is hardly a bad manager as some on here would suggest, considering he hasn't been at a club where he hasn't won anything. He has managed at the highest level in some of the biggest jobs, and isn't a "yesterday's man" considering he was winning leagues only a couple of years ago.

In Houllier we have one of the best managers available in international football at the moment, people can be nit-picky but if he is good enough for Liverpool, France, and Lyon (as well as the many jobs he has turned down in international management and club management) then he's good enough for us too. I think he would do well.

[Noelys Guitar]

There is still a possibility that neither Venables or Houllier will get the job for a variety of reasons. First one would be they don't want the job. Second one especially in the case of Venables is the FAI refuse to ratify him as manager(Givens has said he is not 100% certain the FAI will ratify whoever the 3 amigos suggest). I am very surprised that neither candidate is 1/10 which suggests that the 3 amigos have been watertight with their info or there are still other candidates being considered.

[shakermaker1982]

we shouldn't be turning our noses up at Gerard. He isn't an A grade candidate like Capello but he's certainly a B grade when you take into his record over the years (unlike Stan who I wouldn't even wanna grade). Let's face it, every potential candidate we are interested in has failings - Lippi, Capello and Mourinho (A grade major players) would never be interested in us. Thus, we are left with managers who are slightly tainted - the FAI need to pick the lesser evil and Gerard is definitely that man.....let's hope he is keen.

[colster]

I appreciate the differences between ourselves and England's FA. Thats why I pointed out the difference in resources, and the fact that Capello was their man for the job, not necessarily ours.

As an example though, Hodgson did express interest to the FAI, and while not wanting to slight my country, I think he's more our speed than Capello.

And what happened? He was interviewed, presumably to be told "We'll let you know. Thanks for coming" and Fulham came up and said "Want a job? Like, Right now? " and he took it.

Whether he would have been a fly-by-night and jumped ship early for a better offer had we appointed him is now an irrelevant point, as because of the sheer length of this interview process, we'll never know, but we may yet rue not grabbing him with both hands at first time of asking.

My original point was, you cannot expect someone in the field as volatile as football management to be still interested in a vacancy nearly 3 months after it has arisen (For clarification : Im using the actual 'nearly three months' there - 24th Oct to 18th Jan, as opposed to the one that removes days for Christmas, Halloween, Eid and Chanukha ).

I still believe the FAI lacked courage in not headhunting, and that the interview process is a weak alternative. Dragging an interview process out this long frustrates genuine suitable contenders, and if they ARE any good, they'll be snapped up elsewhere, leaving us with a choice between the unemployed and the unemployable.

I agree with a lot of what you're saying. The FAI have taken ages to make this appointment but the success/failure can only be properly judged after the manager has been appointed and we've played some games. I agree with the usage of a recruitment panel of football people. The major quibble I have with it is that they shouldn't have to go outside the organisation to employ the panel. They should have at least someone in the FAI who has a good knowledge of the game and the managers in it so that if and when a managerial vacancy arises they can put forward a list of candidates.
Perhaps this new high performance director can perform this role.

[livehead1]

I've said it before and I want to reiterate my utter astonishment as to who exactly ROI fans think their side is. Gerard H was good enough for the FFF, Lyon and Liverpool, if anything he is about the class of candidate we should expect to attract to the job. We are a mediocre international side with an extremely week national league, meaning our best players are absorbed into the english leagues. Its not a great job, its average, and we should expect average candidates.

[GavinZac]

with an extremely week national leagueTell us more. What was the biltz like? Was Alexander really gay? What else can you tell us that you havent actually seen?

[Deckydee]

I've said it before and I want to reiterate my utter astonishment as to who exactly ROI fans think their side is. Gerard H was good enough for the FFF, Lyon and Liverpool, if anything he is about the class of candidate we should expect to attract to the job. We are a mediocre international side with an extremely week national league, meaning our best players are absorbed into the english leagues. Its not a great job, its average, and we should expect average candidates.

I have to agree with you on that one. This is what I have been saying for the last three months. How do we think we are? We just are not good enough or big enough to attract a top coach, it is simple as that! Beggers cant be choosy!

We dont have the players either! If it was not for the granny rule, we would have had no 'Charlton Era'

[Stuttgart88]

We dont have the players either!
For what exactly?

To win a WC?

To qualify?

To give it a half-decent shot at qualification?

To avoid getting spanked in Cyprus?

That remark winds me up as much as the "unrealistic expectations" fallacy spouted by some in the public eye.

[Kingdom]

For what exactly?

To win a WC?

To qualify?

To give it a half-decent shot at qualification?

To avoid getting spanked in Cyprus?

That remark winds me up as much as the "unrealistic expectations" fallacy spouted by some in the public eye.


To me its equally as infuriating as the whole "We just are not good enough or big enough to attract a top coach, it is simple as that! Beggers cant be choosy!"
Azerbaijan appointed Calos Alberto Parreira a few years back. Every manager has their price. Whats annoying is that because of our close links with Britain the shower of w*nkers that pass for the majority of our "journalists" (honourable exception Emmet Malone), consider washed up chavs as our saviours.
Even the fans are getting tainted and riduculed now because of the fantastic writers. We have unachievable standards and unrealistic ambitions. It makes me and Baby Jebus cry.

[Dublin12]

For what exactly?


To win a WC?

To qualify?

To give it a half-decent shot at qualification?

To avoid getting spanked in Cyprus?

That remark winds me up as much as the "unrealistic expectations" fallacy spouted by some in the public eye.

It's true though..we just don't have the players to stand in if we get injuries..imagine if we had to play without Given, Dunne, Keane or Doyle

[bennocelt]

He's not out of a job. He works for the French FA. Obviously they don't agree with you on his incompetence.

In Houllier we have one of the best managers available in international football at the moment, people can be nit-picky but if he is good enough for Liverpool, France, and Lyon (as well as the many jobs he has turned down in international management and club management) then he's good enough for us too. I think he would do well.

The same way Brian Kerr still has a job:rolleyes:
Football management, thats what im talking about
Dont care much about French league titles, much the same as pat fenlon and winning the league with shelbourne. Was Liverpool boss for a long time, didnt win the league or do enough in the CL
Most EPL teams or decent continental teams wouldnt touch him now.
Thats a fact

[Kingdom]

Have you even heard of Paul Le Guen:rolleyes:
or do you rely on MOTD for your footy info?



Is he the fantastic manager that bombed ridiculously at Rangers?
The same fantastic manager who is currently doing shyte at PSG?

[Philly]

The same way Brian Kerr still has a job:rolleyes:
Football management, thats what im talking about
Dont care much about French league titles, much the same as pat fenlon and winning the league with shelbourne. Was Liverpool boss for a long time, didnt win the league or do enough in the CL
Most EPL teams or decent continental teams wouldnt touch him now.
Thats a fact

No, not in the same way Kerr has a job. I don't think being involved with St Pats is on a par with being Technical Director for all of French football - a role he had in 1998 when they won the World Cup.

You don't care much about French league titles? Oh so, what, is the French league on a par with League One with you or something? He spent two years there and won two leagues, as well as getting to a cup final. Not good enough for you though, only English Premiership winning managers need apply?

Liverpool haven't won the league in a very long time, and they probably won't win in any time soon either. They don't have the funds that two or three other clubs have. What he did do there was bring back a winning mentality and bring trophies back into the Liverpool Cabinet, something that was amiss for a good while before he took the job.

The way some people on here throw their nose up to Houllier is stupid. You guys will get on just about anybody's back.

[Stuttgart88]

honourable exception Emmet MaloneI'm an admirer of young McDonnell at the Indo. His affection for Irish football in general and the national team really shows in his writing.

[Stuttgart88]

The same way Brian Kerr still has a job:rolleyes:
Football management, thats what im talking about
Dont care much about French league titles, much the same as pat fenlon and winning the league with shelbourne. Was Liverpool boss for a long time, didnt win the league or do enough in the CL
Most EPL teams or decent continental teams wouldnt touch him now.
Thats a fact
An utterly ridiculous post.

[Kingdom]

I'm an admirer of young McDonnell at the Indo. His affection for Irish football in general and the national team really shows in his writing.

I'd be cautiously optimistic. I once had affection for Gerry McDermott, who was by all accounts a decent reporter of facts. Then he started the witchhunt on Kerr. Then he took up a post in the FAI.
McDonnell does seem to be ruffelling feathers amongst the old guard though, particularily with old Paul "one eye looking at ya, the other eye looking for ya" Hyland.

[Torn-Ado]

For what exactly?

To win a WC?

To qualify?

To give it a half-decent shot at qualification?

To avoid getting spanked in Cyprus?

That remark winds me up as much as the "unrealistic expectations" fallacy spouted by some in the public eye.

Yet again Stutts gets it spot on.

Nearly all our players are playing in the premiership. Most of them are regular starters. Yet we don't have the players? Me ar*se.

We have players who quite obviously talented and play brilliantly at club level. It getting them to play well for their country is the problem.

[livehead1]

Tell us more. What was the biltz like? Was Alexander really gay? What else can you tell us that you havent actually seen?

Are you mad? Are you really going to try and argue that point? I've seen around 15 EL games over the last 4 years, admittedly not that many, but my comment is fact, not opinion and someone who attends regular games would surely agree. I point to some of the better players in the EL league who have since left and gone on to great things....

The main point is, we're average, with mediocrity written all over us, a manager of Houllier's standing should be welcomed with open arms.

[NeilMcD]

From the Tribune.
Soccer
spacer

Ireland job is Houllier's to refuse


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A CLEAR picture has finally emerged this weekend in the ongoing saga surrounding the Republic of Ireland post, with former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier in a position where, according to an impeccable source, "the job is his to refuse."

Houllier jumped to the top of the list once Bobby Robson's choice Steve Coppell didn't come across as really wanting the job during his meeting with the three-man delegation of Don Givens, Ray Houghton and Don Howe during the week.

Coppell ticked all the boxes for the delegation before they sat down to interview him, but his lukewarm approach, even to suggestions that the FAI could wait til the end of the Premier League season if he was interested, meant he was crossed off the wish list.

Mindful of how the FAI was backed into a corner last time once Martin O'Neill didn't follow up initial enthusiasm by taking the role, thus leading to the hastily cobbled together and ill-fated Staunton-Robson package, Chief Executive John Delaney has insisted that there should be more than one runner for the three-man team to recommend.

With Coppell's ambitions elsewhere, this strategy has proven worthwhile as even should Houllier decide to stay put, there is a viable alternative in Terry Venables.

"Venables did a superb interview, showing a knowledge of the Irish situation which impressed the panel.

Houllier was similarly outstanding and what tips the thing in his favour is the fact that he doesn't carry the baggage Terry does, " explained a source.

[Kingdom]

From the Tribune.
Soccer
spacer

Ireland job is Houllier's to refuse


"Venables did a superb interview, showing a knowledge of the Irish situation which impressed the panel.

Houllier was similarly outstanding and what tips the thing in his favour is the fact that he doesn't carry the baggage Terry does, " explained a source.

Nice. Do the right thing men. Offer him the job. do it, do it now, do it. do it.

[shakermaker1982]

they interviewed Coppell?

[Stuttgart88]

So it seems it'll be Houllier and if he rules it out then Venables. Fine by me. Appointing Venables without having given it our best shot at (in my opinion) better contenders would have been criminal, but I'm happy that if these guys are ruled out for whatever reason then Venables would be a good manager for us.

I'd love to have been a fly on the wall at the interviews.

[NeilMcD]

If you were a fly you really would have your option of sh it to rest on at these interviews I reckon

[geysir]

'once Martin O'Neill didn't follow up initial enthusiasm by taking the role'
Is it so that MON expressed initial enthusiasm at that time?

[Paddy Garcia]

So it seems it'll be Houllier and if he rules it out then Venables. Fine by me. Appointing Venables without having given it our best shot at (in my opinion) better contenders would have been criminal, but I'm happy that if these guys are ruled out for whatever reason then Venables would be a good manager for us.


Entirely correct.

[Stuttgart88]

Houllier ruled out - SKY Sports News Breaking News, not interested

[green army]

From the Tribune.

"Venables did a superb interview, showing a knowledge of the Irish situation which impressed the panel.

Houllier was similarly outstanding and what tips the thing in his favour is the fact that he doesn't carry the baggage Terry does, " explained a source.


read this article. then read the article in the sindo that said houllier has had no contact with the panel.

[sullanefc]

I think I've cracked it, It's the worldclass management team they promised three years ago
Manager:Venables
Director of football: Gerrard Houllier
Assistant: Deschamps
Coaching Staff. Lawrie Sanchez, Billy Davies, Liam Brady, Kenny Dalghlish
Press Officer: John Giles
Tea Boy: Dave O'leary
Bus Driver: Sam Allardyce
Kit Man : Mick McCarthy
official scape goat : Roy Keane
absolutely brilliant, Were gonna win the world cup, were gonna win he world cup, oh wait none of the above mentioned people actually want the job. ah well guess we'll have to settle for Bernie Slaven after all

This post made the paper today. Cathal Dervan's column in the Star on Sunday.

[shakermaker1982]

I hope Cathal didn't make it out to be his own!

[Bondvillain]

Ambiguously attributed to an "internet forum poster". At least he didn't 100% try to claim it as his own work.


Boo The Star! Stop nicking stuff without giving credit.

(Yes, Im including you Cunningham. And you , Scanlan. if you cant come up with your own one-liners, just ask me. I'll let you have them.)

[Philly]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3066467,00.html

GH out of the race. Possible fed up with the whole process?

[Wolfie]

Today's Independent. Still more questions than answers.

Houllier 'not interested' but still no end-game in sight

By Daniel McDonnell
Monday January 21 2008

IT'S the race that looks like it will never come to an end and it now seems certain that tomorrow's FAI board of management meeting will mark another delay rather than herald D-Day in the hunt for a new Ireland manager.

Kingmakers Don Givens, Ray Houghton and Don Howe were set to make their recommendation to the 10-man board but instead will give a progress report which states that they have yet to finalise their chosen man.

While Gerard Houllier is the preferred choice if he commits to the role and terms are agreed, Terry Venables is the back-up, with Howe understood to be the most supportive of the Frenchman on the three-man panel.

However, reports in the UK late last night suggested that Houllier was not interested in the position although there continues to be mixed messages about his intentions.

Confused

The overall situation is confused by the fact that other candidates have been promised interviews that still have not taken place and the impasse could even allow Sam Allardyce have time for a chat with the trio as he returns from the holiday which followed his sacking at Newcastle.

What is inevitable is that Givens will on Thursday name the squad for the February 6 friendly in Brazil and barring a dramatic change in circumstances he will be nestled in the Croke Park dugout for that encounter.

It is possible that the replacement for Steve Staunton could be appointed before that date but not in time to have a prominent role in selection.

Reports last week that Venables was on the verge of being appointed were premature because Houllier's status remains the key to the whole situation.

He has spoken with the panel although not, it is believed, in the form of a proper interview and his contract with the French Football Federation [FFF] is higher than the basic salary on the table from the FAI.

Yet speaking in Sofia last week FAI CEO John Delaney hinted that they would be willing to increase the amount of cash on the table if their panel deemed a candidate worthy of it.

Delaney also said that the association would be willing to pay compensation which is important given that it will be required to release Houllier from his role as technical director.

While there are conflicting estimates of what that may involve, it will certainly represent another seven figure outlay on top of the €1.5m approx salary that the 60-year-old would command.

The ex-Liverpool manager has remained coy about his interest publicly but in the background he has been in contact with members of his backroom staff during his time with the Premiership giants to ascertain their interest -- including number two at that time Phil Thompson.

In an ironic twist, Houllier is set to be in Ireland next weekend anyway as a guest speaker at the "Watering the Grassroots Coaching Conference" that is being staged jointly by the FAI and the IFA.

That event starts on Friday with Houllier on stage to speak at 11.45 on Sunday morning. Now, though, the significance of his trip is likely to be far greater than anticipated when he was booked.

Givens has started his Pro Licence course in Malahide which means that he will be unable to formally, along with Howe and Houghton, speak with any more potential gaffers until Thursday.

Terms

They will be looking for an answer from Houllier and also from the FAI to see if his terms can be met or else Venables will be handed the position despite murmurs of discomfort from within the higher echelons of Irish football's governing body about the prospect of his appointment.

In the event of Houllier saying 'non' there was renewed betting support for Glenn Hoddle yesterday.

Regardless of that, the protracted nature of the process has angered many involved within the game including senior internationals such as Shay Given and Stephen Hunt who have registered their disappointment with the elongated time frame.

The hold up has implications for Ireland's international calendar with the FAI holding fire on organising a March friendly until a new boss offers their insight.

Time is running out before the association is forced to make a call.

- Daniel McDonnell